Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner Ross Barnett said the body would not take any immediate action against Weir or Mclean.

"The commission continues to consult with Racing Victoria in relation to the ongoing nature of the investigation," Barnett said in an earlier statement.

However, a QRIC spokesperson confirmed on Saturday that QRIC would monitor moves by RV and Racing NSW before making any further decision on issuing its own show cause action.

The decision is consistent with the ones made in relation to Queensland trainers Ben Currie and Liam Birchley.

They can continue to train in their home state and Victoria, but are denied the right to race horses in NSW pending the conclusion of cases against them in Victoria and Queensland.

Racing NSW has asked Weir to show cause why his nominations and acceptances in the state should not be rejected until the inquiry has been completed.

UPDATE 9pm: Darren Weir Racing has released a statement to owners, which detailed the trainer was gaining legal advise following this week’s developments.

Jarrod McLean also released a statement, which was posted by racing.com.

It read as follows:

UPDATE ON RVL CHARGES JUST ISSUED:

You may have already read that Jarrod has been charged late this afternoon for having in his possession an electric apparatus.

It failed to say that this apparatus was found at Jarrod’s Residence/Property on Caramut Road, Warrnambool (which is not a licensed premise). Jarrod has got Cattle on his property and the devise is there if needed for loading Cattle. I believe this is not illegal.

Jarrod will rigorously defend this charge.

The other charges have come about from him acting under instructions from the Barrister who advised not to answer the questions as it was a police matter.

All runners for Jarrod and Weir this weekend have been scratched.

The next step is Jarrod (and Weir) have to “show cause” at 2.00pm on Monday 4th February why they should remain licensed.

We are hoping all of our Owners sit tight and wait and see what the outcome of this meeting is on Monday.

All Track Work and Trials are allowed to continue as normal.

Regards,

Stealth Lodge Racing

Racing Victoria also released a statement on Friday evening from chief executive Giles Thompson.

It read:

Racing Victoria (RV) Chief Executive, Giles Thompson, has issued the following statement after today’s decision by RV stewards to issue charges against licensed trainers Darren Weir and Jarrod McLean and licensed foreperson Tyson Kermond:

“The core responsibility of Racing Victoria is to protect the integrity of the sport and to enforce the Australian Rules of Racing, ensuring both a level playing field for all and the health and welfare of horses competing in Victorian races. This is a responsibility that we take seriously and one that requires important decisions to be made.

“This is a complex matter and that is why the stewards have taken the time to thoroughly consider the information available to them since Victoria Police executed their warrants on Wednesday and have today made decisions that they believe are in the best interests of Victorian racing.

“I understand that there are innocent parties impacted by this and I am sympathetic to the owners within Mr Weir’s and Mr McLean’s stables that have been affected by the decisions made today, however the integrity of the sport and its reputation must come first.

“I’m also aware that there will be a number of hard-working stable staff that will be concerned about what this may mean for their future. Our Participant Wellbeing team has reached out to them today offering a range of support services and I encourage anyone affected to contact Stableline on 1300 520 122 for free and independent support. 

“Whilst today’s events are significant, it is important to note that investigations remain ongoing and we will deal with any further information that may come to light. To that end, I would encourage anyone who has information that may be of interest to the stewards or Victoria Police to come forward.

“Finally, I want to acknowledge our integrity team who are working tirelessly in the best interests of the industry and will continue to do so.”

UPDATE 8pm: Fears for the future of his scores of employees still abounds, and whether the huge Weir racing facility at Miners Rest will go into hiatus following a potential suspension is still unknown. 

One Weir employee, who spoke with The Courier on the condition of anonymity, said they felt frustrated by the uncertainty but also fearful for international workers. 

“It’s all up in the air at the moment but it’s a little bit frustrating and difficult for everyone,” the staff member said. 

"If we were to be made redundant there are a lot of people that Darren has given opportunities to that might find it hard get work somewhere else. 

“Whether he is found guilty or not he always gave opportunities to people that others may not have. 

“There are also people on sponsorship visas that may have to go home which is sad.”

Ripon MP Louise Staley said the thoroughbred facilities and training at Miners Rest was “a huge contributor” to the local economy 

“I do think we need to be very cognizant that there is significant employment generated from there and people will be very uncertain,” she said. 

“A lot of people who work in racing stables are people that do find it difficult to get employment elsewhere, it's particularly important they are supported through this.”

City of Ballarat estimates the economic impact of thoroughbred industry contributes $60 million to the region, with Weir’s training making up a significant portion.

UPDATE 6.50pm: Ballarat-based racing syndicator Wylie Dalziel has expressed anger following the scratching of two of his horses from Friday night’s Moonee Valley meeting.

Racing.com spoke to Dalziel, who had Indiscretion (race 1) and Sunrise Dancer (race 2) – both trained by Weir – withdrawn from the meeting.

"The bit that has got me fuming at the moment is that it's been handled very poorly to be honest," Dalziel told racing.com.

"We first heard about the scratchings on Twitter and I had my owners asking me if it was right, I then looked it up on Racing Australia and saw our horses had been scratched.

"I have owners coming from interstate to the races tonight and they're still going to attend despite their horses being scratched."

UPDATE 5.20pm: All Darren Weir-trained runners have been scratched from Friday night’s Moonee Valley meeting and other venues across the weekend.

Jarrod McLean also had a runner down to race in his name at Moonee Valley, which has also been removed by Racing Victoria stewards.

In another major update, top galloper Yes Yes Yes has been officially transferred from Weir to champion trainer Chris Waller.

Yes Yes Yes, which has won two of his three starts, appears as Waller’s horse on the Racing Australia website.

EARLIER: Racing Victoria stewards have asked Darren Weir to show cause as to why his training licence should not be suspended.

A statement released this afternoon detailed show cause notices had been issued to Weir and assistant trainer Jarrod McLean, who were both arrested as part of police raids on Wednesday morning.

Weir and McLean have been invited to make submissions by telephone at 4pm today.

Charges have also been laid against both individuals, as well as Weir's Warrnambool foreman Tyson Kermond.

The full list of charges can be seen below.

Stewards have this afternoon issued six charges, of which two are in the alternative, against Mr Weir as follows:

Charge 1 – AR 175(hh)(ii) Possession of an electric or electronic apparatus capable of affecting the performance of a horse

The summary of the particulars of the charge being that, on or about 30 January 2019, Mr Weir was in the possession, at a Miners Rest premises used in relation to the training or racing of horses, of an electric or electronic apparatus designed to deliver an electric shock.

Charge 2 – AR 175(hh)(ii) Possession of an electric or electronic apparatus capable of affecting the performance of a horse

The summary of the particulars of the charge being that, on or about 30 January 2019, Mr Weir was in the possession, at a Miners Rest premises used in relation to the training or racing of horses, of a second electric or electronic apparatus designed to deliver an electric shock.

Charge 3 – AR 175(hh)(ii) Possession of an electric or electronic apparatus capable of affecting the performance of a horse

The summary of the particulars of the charge being that, on or about 30 January 2019, Mr Weir was in the possession, at a Miners Rest premises used in relation to the training or racing of horses, of a third electric or electronic apparatus designed to deliver an electric shock.

Charge 4 – AR 175(f) Failure to give evidence at an inquiry

The summary of the particulars being that during the course of an inquiry at the RV offices on 31 January 2019, Mr Weir refused and/or failed to give evidence in accordance with a direction and/or request of the stewards.

Charge 5 – AR175(p) Failure to comply with a direction of the stewards [Alternative to Charge 4]

The summary of the particulars being that Mr Weir refused and/or failed to comply with a direction of the stewards on 31 January 2019 to answer questions in relation to an inquiry.

Charge 6 – AR175A Conduct prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing

The summary of the particulars being that Mr Weir’s conduct in possessing three electric or electronic apparatus, which has been widely reported in the media, and his failure to proffer an explanation to the stewards, was prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing.

The charges issued against Mr Weir will be heard by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on a date to be fixed.

Stewards have this afternoon issued four charges, of which two are in the alternative, against Mr McLean as follows:

Charge 1 – AR 175(hh)(ii) Possession of an electric or electronic apparatus capable of affecting the performance of a horse

The summary of the particulars of the charge being that, on or about 30 January 2019, Mr McLean was in the possession at a Yangery property of an electric or electronic apparatus designed to deliver an electric shock.

Charge 2 – AR 175(f) Failure to give evidence at an inquiry

The summary of the particulars being that during the course of an inquiry at the RV offices on 31 January 2019, Mr McLean refused and/or failed to give evidence in accordance with a direction and/or request of the stewards.

Charge 3 – AR175(p) Failure to comply with a direction of the stewards [Alternative to Charge 2]

The summary of the particulars being that Mr McLean refused and/or failed to comply with a direction of the stewards on 31 January 2019 to answer questions in relation to an inquiry.

Charge 4 – AR175A Conduct prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing

The summary of the particulars being that Mr McLean’s conduct in possessing an electric or electronic apparatus, which has been widely reported in the media, and his failure to proffer an explanation to the stewards was prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing.

The charges issued against Mr McLean will be heard by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on a date to be fixed.

Stewards have this afternoon issued two charges in the alternative against Mr Kermond as follows:

Charge 1 – AR 175(f) Failure to give evidence at an inquiry

The summary of the particulars being that during the course of an inquiry at the RV offices on 31 January 2019, Mr Kermond refused and/or failed to give evidence in accordance with a direction and/or request of the stewards.

Charge 2 – AR175(p) Failure to comply with a direction of the stewards [Alternative to Charge 1]

The summary of the particulars being that Mr Kermond refused and/or failed to comply with a direction of the stewards on 31 January 2019 to answer questions in relation to an inquiry.

The charges issued against Mr Kermond will be heard by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on a date to be fixed.

The stewards have also this afternoon issued Show Cause Notices to Mr Weir and Mr McLean requesting them to show cause why the stewards ought not exercise their powers:

(a) pursuant to AR 8(z)(a), to suspend their licence to train; 

(b) pursuant to AR 8(z)(b), to prevent any horse owned (or part-owned) or leased by them from participating in any race or official trial;

(c) pursuant to AR 8(z)(d), to decline to receive any nomination or entry for a horse trained by them; and

(d) pursuant to AR 8(z)(d), in respect of the nominations or entries which have been received, to reject those nominations or entries, pending the hearing and determination of the charges issued against them.

Mr Weir and Mr McLean have been invited to make submissions by telephone at 4pm today. 

RV stewards will issue a further report today following the outcome of this hearing.